IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,121,189
Granted Patent B2
US 12,121,189 · App. 18/233,588 · Granted Oct 22, 2024

Toilet

Inventors: Chanseol Chung (Milwaukee, WI); Karger D. Kohler (Kohler, WI); Daniel N. Halloran (Fredonia, WI); Jeffrey T. Laundre (Sheboygan, WI); Keith E. Muellenbach (Sheboygan, WI); Jennifer Tarplee (Sheboygan, WI); Craig Loest (Kohler, WI)
Assignee: Kohler Co.
A47K13/247A47K13/10A47K13/12A47K13/28A47K13/242A47K13/245A61G5/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,121,189
App. No.
18/233,588
Granted
Oct 22, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.

Claims (41)

1. A toilet seat assembly comprising:

a seat configured to be rotatably coupled to a toilet, wherein the seat is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a stowed position;

a cover, wherein the cover is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a stowed position while the seat is in the lowered position; and

a lumbar support integrated with the cover, wherein the lumbar support is aligned with a back of a user when the seat is in the lowered position and the cover is in the stowed position.

2. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seat defines an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the toilet.

3. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lumbar support includes a convex portion along a length of the cover.

4. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lumbar support is aligned with the back of the user when the user is seated on the seat.

5. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

an elongated member coupled to the seat and the cover; and

a drive member configured to cause the elongated to lift the seat and the cover.

6. The toilet seat assembly of claim 5 , wherein the elongated member assists the user in standing from the seat in response to the drive member.

7. The toilet seat assembly of claim 5 , wherein the drive member is a motor.

8. The toilet seat assembly of claim 5 , further comprising:

a user input configured to receive an input from the user; and

a control system configured to cause the drive member to lift the seat and the cover in response to the input from the user.

9. The toilet seat assembly of claim 8 , wherein the control system is configured to cause the drive member to lower the seat and the cover.

10. The toilet seat assembly of claim 5 , wherein the elongated member is configured to telescope to lift the seat and the cover.

11. A toilet comprising:

a base; and

a seat rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the seat is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a stowed position;

a cover, wherein the cover is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a stowed position while the seat is in the lowered position;

an elongated member coupled to the seat and the cover; and

a drive member configured to cause the elongated to lift the seat and the cover.

12. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the elongated member assists a user in standing from the seat in response to the drive member.

13. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the drive member is a motor.

14. The toilet of claim 11 , further comprising:

a user input configured to receive an input from the user; and

a control system configured to cause the drive member to lift the seat and the cover in response to the input from the user.

15. The toilet of claim 11 , wherein the elongated member is configured to telescope to lift the seat and the cover.

16. The toilet of claim 11 , further comprising:

a lumbar support integrated with the cover, wherein the lumbar support is aligned with a back of a user when the seat is in the lowered position and the cover is in the stowed position.

17. The toilet of claim 16 , wherein the lumbar support includes a convex portion along a length of the cover.

18. The toilet of claim 16 , wherein the seat defines an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base.

19. The toilet of claim 16 , wherein the elongated member is configured to lower the seat and the cover including the lumbar support.

20. A toilet comprising:

a base; and

a seat rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the seat is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a stowed position;

a cover, wherein the cover is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a stowed position while the seat is in the lowered position;

a lumbar support integrated with the cover, wherein the lumbar support is aligned with a back of a user when the seat is in the lowered position and the cover is in the stowed position;

an elongated member coupled to the seat and the cover; and

a drive member configured to cause the elongated to lift the seat and the cover.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 30, 2023
From: HALLORAN, DANIEL N.; KOHLER, KARGER D.; CHUNG, CHANSEOL; LAUNDRE, JEFFREY T.; MUELLENBACH, KEITH E.; TARPLEE, JENNIFER; LOEST, CRAIG
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 064749/0730 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17985461 · Nov 15, 2022
Continuation 17322335 · May 17, 2021
Continuation 17046506
Provisional Application 62655904 · Apr 11, 2018
Related Publication 20230380643A1 · Nov 30, 2023